my reviews of books I have read

“You’ll have to forgive me, Darlin’, for all the unforgivable things I’m about to do…”

Loyalty is never easy – especially when you’re forced to choose between family and the man you would do anything to possess…

Born into a world that no child should endure, Magpie “Maggie” Crow is doted on by her loving father and over protective brothers. As much as she loves them, she fears them, especially when she learns secrets they’ve kept hidden.

Elliot McLaughlin joined the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school to provide for his wife and son. He’d never intended to become a father so young, but was willing to do what it took to give his family everything they needed.

After Elliot’s family goes missing, he returns from war to an empty home. Obsessed with discovering who took his family, he investigates their disappearance and plots his revenge.

Passion brings Maggie and Elliot together. Obsession pushes them apart. As a bitter battle begins between Elliot and the Crows, Maggie’s heart hangs in the balance.

**Disclaimer: This book is intended for audiences 18 years of age or older. The subject matter of this book discusses sensitive topics that may be a trigger for some readers.**

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them – kat***

Ok I have deliberated and written this review (on paper) 3 times and scrapped them all. This is the 2nd Lily White book I have reviewed, and I knew it wasn’t going to be a fairytale from that first offering Wake to Dream – I will say I am glad I said I would review it, I think its good to get out of your comfort zone and read something that is not all fluffy bunnies and rainbows – and WARNING this is no Romance story – it’s got sex in it, yes, it may have two people who from attraction and circumstance they become attached to each other, but Romance, NOT IN MY BOOK. The storyline is brutal, vengeance is the key goal for Elliot our main Male lead character.

Why did I give it 4 stars, well this was because at the end I was not happy on how Ms. White ended it, I did not think Maggie should have gotten the ending she had. She may have been innocent as a child but in my book, as an adult, she knew perfectly well what her depraved family did, and she did nothing to stop it.

Also the scene where Eliott faces his wifes abductors had parts that I thought were dubious – as in how a trained soldier would forget something that he did in all the other cases, to ensure someone was locked in a vehicle, I am sorry that I can’t say anymore as I do not do spoiler reviews, but I did let the author know, so maybe this could change?

OK I am just going to say how this book made me feel, It had me stuck to my kindle, waiting for Maggie to do the right thing, to grow up and stand up for what is morally right… I can honestly say I did not like this heroine no that word is wrong, main female character… she is no heroine, is she a victim? Well I had a very hard time trying to decide that and I am still on the fence. You can think Stockholm Syndrome, but in the end she made her choice, Family instead of what was right and just, and another life is ruined because of her actions… so I know these characters are not real, but she didn’t deserve to…to enjoy life… ?? see I said I was having a hard time with this review. I just hated Maggie for her selfishness… Well that’s just hard for me to get?

Agh this is so hard to write without spoiling the book!

OK Elliot… for 80% I was with him and understood his focus, his life was literally hinged on finding out what happened to his family, and he had no desire to continue after that happened, and I got that. If what had happened to his wife and child had happened my family, law’s be damned, I would be the worst vengeful bitch the world would have seen, and after I had gotten my revenge I would have been done, ready to leave the earth for whatever came next.

And he was so determined to do that, he was using Maggie to find out more information, and yes I could understand his attraction, his reluctance at the growing feelings, and his need to save her… ( to have something good come out of all the horror) but when she chooses her family instead of him and justice… and he ends up forgiving her. Well, let’s just say I would have preferred a black final ending where both didn’t go off into the sunset, and this is why in the end I gave it a 4 star.

Does Lily White write books that grip and enthrall the reader… YES, and I have only read 2 books yet I realise that she has the skill to make the reader see more than just words on a page. I am still 5 days later thinking about this book, trying to write a justifiable review to the feelings it evoked in me – and probably failing!

Do I recommend this book – YES, but be warned it will make you feel a range of emotions, from rage to despair and all in between. I guess I could end with what I said to Lily’s Agent, this book is more like Real Life, rather than a Fairytale.

There are monsters in real life, there are those who deserve a HEA that because of those monsters are denied it, and I guess there are those who find a HEA even when others feel they don’t truly deserve it when they were culpable in the horrors of her family.

Head over to the authors facebook page to see what she will be giving away today!

Lily White is a dark writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. She is most known for her Masters Series (Her Master’s Courtesan and Her Master’s Teacher), Target This, Hard Roads, and Asylum. She’s co-authored Serial (a four part serial series). When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, Because of Ellison (contemporary romance), and Standard Romance Story (Romance Comedy). Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

In addition to writing, Lily is an avid reader, gummy bear slayer, and a gold medalist in puppy naps.